Artiodactyla
/ˌɑːtɪə(ʊ)ˈdaktɪlə
/plural noun Zoology
An order of mammals that comprises the even-toed ungulates. Compare with Perissodactyla.The two major groups of living hoofed mammals are the Artiodactyla, or cloven-hooved mammals; and the Perissodactyla, or odd-toed mammals....
- Within the order can be found some of the fastest-running mammals, but the Artiodactyla also includes relatively slow and cumbersome species such as pigs and hippos.
- Until recently, zoologists thought the membership list of the order Artiodactyla was limited to hoofed mammals with an even number of toes: camels, cows, deer, giraffes, goats, hippopotamuses, pigs, sheep.
Origin
Modern Latin (plural), from Greek artios 'even' + daktulos 'finger, toe'.